“I gave my body a rest.
I gave my mind a rest.
Paramount+
Nany Gonzalez doesn’t regret skippingThe Challengeseason 40.
Nany González, ‘The Challenge’.Credit:Paramount+
That’s why she ultimately delayed her return to the franchise untilAll Stars: Rivals.
“I’m super excited to be back onAll Stars,” Nany tellsEntertainment Weekly.
“I was asked to do season 40 and I just wasn’t ready to come back yet.
‘The Challenge All Stars: Rivals’.Jonne Roriz/Paramount+
I don’t necessarily think that it gave me confidence.
Every season is different and it’s a task to get to the end every single time.
You almost got your first win onRide or Diesuntil the very last checkpoint of the final.
Turbo Çamkıran and Nany González, ‘The Challenge’.Paramount+
How did that impact you going into this season?
And redeeming myself doesn’t mean win.
It just means going in and just doing so much better than I left off.
Turbo Çamkıran and Nany González, ‘The Challenge’.Paramount+
How did you train in your time off to help you get that redemption this season?
[Pauses] Can I be completely honest with you?
Absolutely, c’mon.
Honestly, when I had taken the three years off, I gave my body a rest.
I gave my mind a rest.
I think that was what I needed to come back.
How did taking that time and that break help you when you returned this season?
I just came in and I was ready to compete again.
I was ready for that adrenaline rush.
I missed doing crazy cool things.
Did you know it was going to beRivalsbefore TJ announced it to the cast?
I had no idea that it was going to beRivals.
I had no idea Turbo was going on the season.
I had no clue.
What was your reaction when you learned that your partner was Turbo?
To be honest, I don’t really know.
I just know that the Turbo that I met onWar of the Worldsis the real Turbo.
I know that he is a difficult human.
He’s a very stubborn man.
We’ll do okay if we can just put our differences to the side.
What can you tease about how you and Turbo worked together this season?
Are you going to have any new rivalries created this season?
[Laughs] I will not be answering that question.
You have to wait and see.
I don’t know how to interpretthatresponse.
Does that mean we can expect a lot of new rivalries…?
That’s all I can really say.
Who did you see as your biggest threat at the start of the season?
But it’sThe Challenge.It’s not always about strength.
Which pair did you think was going to crash and burn immediately?
Definitely Jonna and Beth, that was a team that I know is going to have some issues.
That pairing was shocking.
I was surprised she didn’t immediately walk off the set and just quit the season.
I know, you and me both.
What do you think is going to surprise fans about how this season goes for you?
Okay, I think you’re being way too hard on yourself!
You weren’t terrible, you almost won.
[Laughs] I know, I know.
I’m just being dramatic.
I know it wasn’t terrible, but you know how it is when you’re so close.
But this season’s going to be a great season.
Definitely stay tuned because it gets wild.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
